Category: Entertainment

Where: The Handlebar, 159 Augusta AvenueWhen: September 17, 2017 at 3pm to 4pmCost: Tickets are available at the door for $12

Details: Windcatcher Records World music recording artist Sina Bathaie will be performing at the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Sunday September 17. He composes and blends Persian melodies in unique arrangements with western instrumentation which creates a hypnotic world fusion experience.

A composer, Santur-player based in Toronto, Bathaie is known for his unique style and approach toward Persian contemporary music. His hypnotic performances have garnered him fans from across the globe. Born in Iran, he started learning Santur at age seven from his father, Master Javad Bathaie. He then followed his passion in music by practicing Persian classical repertoire (Radif) with the instrument Oud and explored the concept of rhythm by learning Tonbak (Persian Percussion).

Details: More than 50 Performers, 11 Stages, 3 Glorious Days!
One of the longest running folk festivals in North America, the Mariposa Folk Festival is beginning its 57th year building on an amazing legacy. Mariposa is renowned for its wide range of folk/roots artists, with 150+ performances of every kind that showcase music, dance and spoken word – but there’s lots more going on than that at the Mariposa Folk Festival! Much of the folk music events and programming invites audience participation of all ages exposing, engaging and educating patrons in folk culture.

Some of the highlights this year include Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn, Matt Andersen and the Last Waltz (a musical celebration of the Band’s last concert). So come out and enjoy!

Details: This summer’s lineup for Indie Fridays, the free concert series in the heart of the city is a sure-fire way to add some flavour to Friday night with a musically diverse lineup that’s sure to tickle any music-lover’s fancy.

July 7, Indie Fridays kicks off with Turbo Street Funk, echoing a sound and performance style rooted in New Orleans horn band tradition. Headlining the evening will be Five Alarm Funk; the eight-piece band, direct from Vancouver, will hit YDS with an epic performance of heavy grooves and tons of fun.

July 14, Ria Mae will represent the other side of the country when the Halifax native brings her personal blend of pop melodies with alternative and folk music to Toronto. Before Ria Mae takes the stage, The Pick Brothers Band will fill the Square with a blend of compelling writing, dynamic arrangements, and a gritty rock and roll spirit.

July 21, The Pack A.D. will put Torontonians on edge because “the Pack won’t stop their mad pace of stealing every stage they play on“ (Exclaim!). Co-headliners, Ginger Ale & The Monowhales will be keeping with the theme of thievery when they steal the hearts of passers-by with their boundless energy and indie pop/rock tunes.

July 28, two-time Juno Award-winner, Derek Miller Band will bring their bluesy soul-stirring roots rock to YDS. Co-headlining the evening will be the multi award-winning Six Nations artist, Jace Martin who masterfully mixes the blues, R&B, soul, and funk to make a sound all his own.

August 4, “citizen of the world,” Zaki Ibrahim will find herself in the Heart of the Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Square, showing audiences why she’s a Juno-nominated R&B singer.

Aaron Neville – Headlining at Yorkville Avenue stage with a free performance on June 24

Where: Various venues in TorontoWhen: June 23 – July 2, 2017Cost: Ticket prices vary depending on venue and artist. To purchase visit www.torontojazz.com

Details: Whatever flavor of jazz you enjoy, find it at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival this summer, featuring 100+ free concerts in Yorkville and the Iconic Concert Hall. Discover a new artist, explore different genres and attend a live concert surrounded by thousands as the city’s largest music festival takes over.

Joss Stone, Mavis Staples, Gregory Porter and more are included in this year’s lineup. Multiple Grammy award-winner Aaron Neville will be headlining the Festival’s Yorkville Avenue stage with a free performance on June 24. And the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin will bring her extraordinary voice to the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, performing at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on July 1.

Where: 51 Mercer Street (at Blue Jays Way)When: Performances begin February 28, 2017 with Media Night on March 14, 2017Cost: Tickets starting at $26 and are available at www.secondcity.com or The Second City box office at 416-343-0011

Details: 79th Mainstage Revue, Everything is Great Again, will be running for an extended engagement! The production examines a world where Prime Ministers keep “sunny ways” and Presidents can’t keep their cool. It depicts journalists on location at the end of the world, millennials live tweeting drama and trauma, and the quirks of love, life and relationships set to a jaunty tune or two.

Created and performed by The Second City Toronto Mainstage cast featuring new cast members Paloma Nuñez (Baroness Von Sketch Show), Devon Hyland (Get Sick Die Trying) and Colin Munch (Uncalled For), who will join returning Mainstage cast members Ann Pornel (The Flirty Boys), Brandon Hackett (This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Lindsay Mullan (Loose Moose Theatre Company). This cast of improv aces will perform deliriously funny scenes to help distract from the outside world…for a couple hours, at least.

Directed by The Second City alumnus Kerry Griffin, and assistant to the director Joel Buxton. Meg Maguire and Lee Cohen return as stage manager and music director respectively. Camellia Koo returns as set designer, and Melanie McNeill is the stylist.